And they were off. Five teammates to his left and four to his right. It didn’t take them long to pick up immense speed. Never before had he felt such exhilaration as he slid down the dirty white surface. Split second decisions constantly had to be made. Turn left or turn right. It was all happening so fast.

And then there were eight. Two of his teammates made bad decisions. One of them hit a rock, leading to only small parts of the wheelchair to continue on the journey. The other made an incorrect turn and flew off the side of the mountain to certain death.

Only seconds later and they would meet the Beta. Timothy could sense the fear from the others through his visor’s communication device so he shouted –

“Glory to the Omega”

Then, far more more importantly the instructions “Action 1”.

With this, they formed a pincer formation. They were closer together, a solid centre. It had taken hours to perfect in training. One false move and they would crash into each other obliterating their chances.

Then the first sighting of Beta came from 9 o’clock. They headed straight for each other. Beta panicked when they saw the tight formation with many veering off course in fear to certain annihilation. The few that were remaining were quickly shredded by the tightly packed saws and swords that jutted out from the ski-wheelchairs as the mountainside turned crimson.

It was all over quickly.

“Action 2”

With the enemy vanquished, they expanded the distance from one another and slowed as much as they could. No point taking risks as they safely made their way down the mountain.

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As Timothy looked out through his visor at the purple sky, he knew that he would never forget this time cycle. Even if it was to be his last, it would have been worth it. The world and even existence itself was so much bigger than he ever thought possible.

It had been a long journey for him and the rest of his team of warriors to reach the summit of Mount Mangerton. They each made their own way through the bowels of the foul city. Then onto hovering cabins that travelled at an unfathomable speed. His father told him that they were called “trains”.

Most of the journey was in darkness as it pummeled through the city, But then there was light. Timothy looked out in wonder at the tall mountains in the rugged, rocky, reddish landscape. It was unlike anything he had previously seen.

It still took hours before the first sighting of their destination.

Mount Mangerton stood out from everything around it. The train dropped them off many miles from the destination but it still covered half the sky. A speaker warned the passengers of the toxic atmosphere and protective suits that had to be put on. They then entered a steel cabin that lifted them up to a small settlement at the summit.

It took a few hours for everybody to arrive. Now his comrades were to his left and right. Beta were disembarking from the other side but they would quickly merge at the first choking point for battle.

Now, he had to hope all that training paid off.

Timothy was unsure what to make of the “celebration”. He knew it felt good good but still felt somewhat confused. But he knew that he had performed his duty and that was the most important thing. Well, he was pretty sure anyway.

He wondered how the “celebration” went for the rest of the team. As they gathered in their circle in the next time cycle, some had smiles that they couldn’t hide. Others looked as poker faced as ever.

The chant this day was –

Power to the Omega

Strength to the Omega.

Timothy found the whole thing quite boring but some the others like Audrey seemed to enter a trance after a while chanting away and they definitely sounded as if they were true believers.

The next few days were spent training. This involved doing complex wheelchair maneuvers and trying different weapons. Timothy couldn’t help but notice the high turnover at the base. People would die during the fights without fanfare and then they were quickly replaced. It was like Jenny was there one day and then she was replaced by Jack. He had the same disability, but was much more loquacious, telling jokes and trying to get a bit of banter going. But how much longer would he or any of them be around?

Timothy enjoyed talking to Audrey most.

She had taken to entering his room to look over combat videos and to discuss tactics. He would have preferred to “celebrate” with her.

The smell of rotting flesh was all pervasive. It went up your nostrils, into every crevice and stained your clothes. There had been much death. They were in the waiting area area waiting to enter the amphitheater and they were next. Strangely, Timothy wasn’t feeling fear. It was more a bloodlust. Neither did he sense fear in those around room.

Slowly, the large stone stone door began to lift, shining the light onto their faces. Timothy pressed pressed forward on his joystick and the others followed him.. Audrey to his left and Olsen to his right.

The crowd in the stand roared their approval. Everyone of the Omega was in a Falcon X and was armed with a chainsaw. In the distance, they could see their enemies dispersing expecting the usual one on one combat.

The omega increased their speed and headed for the middle of the enemy, which was held by two gunners of the alpha. Once they fired, Timothy roared disperse and the shots few between the wheelchair. Then they fired again and again.

One of the shots hit Jessica tearing her to shreds. There was not even time for her to roar out in agony. She was there and then she wasn’t. By by then they were bearing down on the gunners and the chainsaws cut through them. Now the Omega split in half and surrounded their cursed enemy. The crowd grew increasingly wild.

Timothy charged to meet his next opponent. This time he heard the clash of steel as two chainsaws collided. His opponent had more skill in this art form and Timothy soon found himself retreating. For the first time in that time cycle he felt immense fear.

It was only assuaged by the site of a chainsaw ripping through his opponent’s stomach from behind. There was no time to thank her, the slaughter had only commenced. Quickly each Alpha was isolated and slain.

The crowd clapped ferociously as Timothy’s wheels rolled over the blood soaked asphalt. He turned the wheelchair towards them, men women and children, in ragged clothes and took in the adulteration of the crowd. This is what he was born for.

Her response put a shudder down Timothy’s spine. The dogma that they were constantly listening to was obviously having the desired effect.

The others then called out their names and pledged their allegiance unthinkingly to The Omega. Timothy felt obliged to do the same when it came to his turn. There was no point in splitting the group. The rest of the group were made up of four males and four females.

They were all under twenty. Olsen was the oldest at eighteen years of age. He was was a heavy set fearsome looking man. The youngest Aoife was only twelve, had an angelic appeal that belied her taste for blood. Ciaran, Sean and David were the other boys. Ciaran’s body was contorted just like his own. Sean could not feel his legs and David could barely feel anything at all.

The remaining girls were Jessica, Mairead and Daire. All of Jessica’s limbs were missing and she had to use her mouth to control her chair. But, however she managed, she was a fighter of grear skill. Maire and Daire couldn’t move their legs.

Timothy immediately had an idea of what would be their idea formation. Himself, Olsen, Audrey and Jessica would be the solid centre that would pierce the enemy. Now, they just to decide on their weapons and rehearse battle calls.

They were left in the darkened room for some time. There was a sense of dread pervading the room. They were leaderless, rudderless. Timothy knew that it the time for him to speak. Otherwise, it would be too late.

“I have an idea on how to win.”

The rest of the group stopped talking to each other in astonishment.

The girl with Auburn hair responded derisively.

“What would you know newbie?”

For a few moments, Timothy felt convulsed by what to say next. Then, just as they were about to avert their gaze.

“Our group fought as individuals rather than as one. They didn’t have any strategy and got picked off one by one. We need to change that.”

There came cries of “How?” from some.

“We will have our best warriors in the centre and attack in a line. Destroy those that stand their ground first and then deal with those who run. It must be done at speed.”

As Timothy explained in more depth, he won them over with one caveat, he would be leading the charge in the center.

“I will, if that’s what you want. But it’s important that I know all of you in case I need to adjust things in the heat of battle.”

The girl with auburn hair was the first to speak –

“My name is Audrey and I want revenge for the Omega.”

It structure Timothy that she had not cried for her comrades but for the dishonour to Omega.